Access Holdings Plc has responded to the unexpected passing of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, by appointing Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.
The Board of Directors announced this decision on February 12, 2024, following a statement dated February 11, 2024.
Ms. Agbede, the most senior founding Executive Director responsible for Business Support within the company, will assume the leadership role subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
This transition marks a significant moment in the company’s history as it grapples with the challenges of an abrupt change in leadership.
With a professional background spanning nearly three decades, Ms. Agbede brings a wealth of expertise and strategic acumen to her new role.
Beginning her career in 1992 at Guaranty Trust Bank, she ascended to managerial positions by 2001 and later became the Chief Executive Officer at JKG Limited, a business consulting firm, in 2003.
Ms. Agbede joined Access Bank Plc in 2003 as an Assistant General Manager responsible for managing the bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies. Her leadership qualities and strategic insight led her to the position of Head of group Human Resources between 2010 and 2022. Subsequently, she became Access Holdings Plc’s founding Executive Director, Business Support, playing a pivotal role in integrating business units and transforming the company’s culture.
Holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University, Ms. Agbede’s leadership and professional experiences contribute to her comprehensive skill set.
Ms. Agbede’s appointment is strategic, ensuring stability and continuity in the company’s leadership during this period of transition. Her wealth of experience and leadership style are expected to guide Access Holdings Plc through this challenging phase.
